Color-coding magic types in the skill menu

[BrickleYourFrickle]

I have several different "schools" of Magic (like holy, dark, nature, chaos, arcane magic, etc.) in my RPG, with each filling different roles in combat and the overworld. The thing is, player-characters can learn spells from any school.

To keep the battle menu uncluttered, I also consolodated all of the Magic spells into a single "Magic" command in that menu by keeping them all as the same "Skill Type" in the database.

However, since they all are available on the same "Magic" list, I'd like them to be visually distinct based on the school of magic that they come from so players have an easier time finding what they're looking for.

Also, I'm already using the skill icons as a way to convey the general effect of the spell (like a cross for healing effects, poison bubbles for DOT effects, etc.), and I don't want to sacrifice those.

An alternative could be color-coding them with text-colors, or possibly some kind of colored border around the spell name and icon, so they can be identified in a simple way. If anyone knows of a way to do this with the default VXA engine, or a script, it would be immensely helpful.

 

[RCXGaming]

I have several different "schools" of Magic (like holy, dark, nature, chaos, arcane magic, etc.) in my RPG, with each filling different roles in combat and the overworld. The thing is, player-characters can learn spells from any school.

To keep the battle menu uncluttered, I also consolodated all of the Magic spells into a single "Magic" command in that menu by keeping them all as the same "Skill Type" in the database.

However, since they all are available on the same "Magic" list, I'd like them to be visually distinct based on the school of magic that they come from so players have an easier time finding what they're looking for.

Also, I'm already using the skill icons as a way to convey the general effect of the spell (like a cross for healing effects, poison bubbles for DOT effects, etc.), and I don't want to sacrifice those.

An alternative could be color-coding them with text-colors, or possibly some kind of colored border around the spell name and icon, so they can be identified in a simple way. If anyone knows of a way to do this with the default VXA engine, or a script, it would be immensely helpful.

So off the bat I have a few good offers based on what I've already been using for my games.

#1: Modern Algebra's Global Text Codes - This will allow you to set things like color codes (\c[x]) in whatever part of the database you want. This will also allow you to bypass the text limitations of the system with "replacement codes". So if you have a skill you want to be a certain color you can do it like this:

\*\c[2]Aura Saber > will show up as Aura Saber in fights

#2: Himeworks Skill Type Groups - If you're worried about space for skills, this will allow you to put different skills in the same category. I.e a skill tagged as Arcane Magic will appear in the general Magic skill group.

 

[BrickleYourFrickle]

Excellent. I'm still curious about alternatives, but having testing these out, they seem to solve the problems I'm having. Thanks!